DRINK SAMPLE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE
A drink sample apparatus having an elongated stick, an indicia of the drink mixture marked on said stirring stick, a small mixture of an mixed drink or oil extract of the same, an edible bond to affix or cover said small mixture of an alcohol drink to said stirring stick that functions to provide a sample taste of a drink or beverage before making the decision to purchase the drink or beverage.
To the full extent permitted by law, the present U.S. Non-Provisional patent application claims priority to and the full benefit of United States Provisional patent application entitled “Mixer Liquor Drink Sample on a Stick”, filed on Apr. 6, 2012, having assigned Ser. No. 61/621,307, incorporated entirely herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe disclosure relates generally to drink products and more specifically it relates to a sample or taster stick for a specific beverage and still more particularly the disclosure relates to preselected flavor(s) bonded or laminated to the sample stick.
BACKGROUNDDifferent beverages and packaging for beverages are known in the prior art. For example, there are different flavored of alcoholic beverages, sodas, fruit drinks, teas, beers, sports drinks, coffees, hot chocolate, and more recently vitamin and electrolyte waters. The different beverages are packaged in cans, bottles, and/or cartons and come in an assortment of flavors.
With such a wide assortment of beverages and drinks available, especially mixed drinks or alcoholic beverages, a consumer would like the ability to sample or pre-taste the beverage prior to purchasing to determine if the consumer actually likes the taste of the beverage or drink. Moreover, since it is illegal to have an open container in a liquor store, thus prohibiting sampling of mixed drinks or alcoholic beverages, and a patron of a club or bar is obligated to purchase the entire drink to sample the drink the ability to sample or pre-taste the drink is prohibitive.
It is known to provide drink flavoring sticks and straws. In particular, known flavoring sticks such as hard candy sticks may be licked or used to stir a flavor into a drink to give the drink an added or new flavor or to sweeten such drink. The beverage is prepared by placing the hard candy stick in the beverage and allowing the hard candy stick to dissolve into the beverage. Moreover, the hard candy stick may be used to stir the beverage assisting in dissolving the flavoring or sweetener into the beverage. In addition, drink flavoring straws are known, and utilized to draw a liquid such as milk through the straw having self-contained inner flavor structures within the straw to impart dissolved flavoring or sweetener to the associated fluid as it is drawn through the straw.
Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a recognizable unmet need for a drink sample apparatus and method of use thereof, wherein such drink stick enables a consumer to sample or pre-taste the drink or beverage before making the decision to purchase the entire drink or beverage or purchase the ingredients to make the drink or beverage.
BRIEF SUMMARYBriefly described, in example embodiment, the present apparatus overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantage, and meets the recognized need for a drink sample apparatus and method thereof, including in general, an elongated stick or member, a small sample mixture of a beverage or drink or oil extract of the same, an edible bond to affix or cover said small sample mixture of a beverage or drink to said stirring stick, and, thus, functions to enable a consumer to sample or pre-taste the drink or beverage before making the decision to purchase the entire drink or beverage or purchase the ingredients to make the drink or beverage.
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the a drink sample apparatus and method thereof, in general, includes the following elements an elongated stick or member, an indicia of the drink mixture marked on said stick, a small mixture of a beverage or drink or oil extract of the same, an edible bond to affix said sample mixture of the beverage or drink to said stick that functions to provide a sample taste of a drink or beverage, such as an alcoholic beverage, before making the decision to purchase the drink or beverage.
In a preferred embodiment, the drink sample apparatus for use in taste testing by positioning on a user's tongue, the drink sample apparatus includes an elongated member, the member having a surface, a flavor sample disposed on the surface, and a thin film disposed on the surface, the thin film configured to cover the flavor sample.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the drink sample apparatus for use in taste testing by positioning on a user's tongue, the drink sample apparatus including an elongated member, the member having a surface, a flavor sample, and a thin film formed with the flavor sample integrated therein, the thin film disposed on the surface.
In still a further exemplary embodiment of the method of taste testing a sample beverage, by positioning on a user's tongue, before making a decision to purchase the beverage, the method including the steps of providing drink sample, the drink sample having an elongated member, the member having a surface, a flavor sample disposed on the surface, and a thin film disposed on the surface, the thin film configured to cover the flavor sample, selecting the drink sample, gripping the surface of the drink sample, positioning the flavor sample disposed on the surface on the user's tongue, tasting the flavor sample, and determining whether the user likes the flavor sample.
Accordingly, a feature of the drink sample apparatus and method thereof is its ability to enable the consumer/user the opportunity to sample or pre-taste any given drink or beverage before making the decision to purchase the entire drink or beverage or purchase the ingredients to make the drink or beverage.
Another feature of the drink sample apparatus and method thereof is its ability to function as a stirring stick to stir or evenly distribute the drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage.
Still another feature of the drink sample apparatus and method thereof is its ability to enable the consumer/user the opportunity to sample or pre-taste any given drink or beverage to determine whether or not the consumer/user likes or dislikes the drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage.
Still another feature of the drink sample apparatus and method thereof is its ability to provide indicia of the drink mixture marked on the sample apparatus to educate the consumer on the ingredients and/or quantities of a given drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage.
Yet another feature of the sample apparatus and method thereof is its ability to provide indicia of the drink mixture marked on the sample apparatus to provide instructions to the drink mixer or consumer as to the ingredients, quantities, and/or step to make a particular drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage.
Yet another feature of the sample apparatus and method thereof is its ability to provide indicia of the drink mixture marked on the sample apparatus to promote the sale of drinks or beverages, especially a mixed drinks or alcoholic beverages.
Yet another feature of the sample apparatus and method thereof is its ability to provide a method of affixing a sample or pre-taste portion of a drinks or beverages, especially a mixed drinks or alcoholic beverages to the apparatus.
Yet another feature of the sample apparatus and method thereof is its ability to provide a thin film or coating of gelatin, alginate, xanthan gum, guar gum, chitin, chitosin, gellan gum, agar, carrageenan, albumin, starch, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), mixtures thereof, similar polymers, or the like to affix the sample or pre-taste portion of a drinks or beverages, especially a mixed drinks or alcoholic beverages to the apparatus.
These and other features of the drink sample apparatus and method of use thereof will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and Claims when read in light of the accompanying Drawings or Figures.
The present the drink sample apparatus and method of making and use thereof will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying Drawing figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
Referring now to
First end 12.1 of top side 12.4 of elongated member 12 preferably includes information, branding, trademark, instructions, especially drink preparation instructions, ingredients, recipe, and the like such as indicia 16 to provide promotional information, instructions to the drink mixer or consumer as to the ingredients, quantities, and/or preparation steps to make a particular drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage and the like. The drink mixer, consumer, or purchaser preferably utilizes indicia 16 of drink sample stick 10 to purchase the listed ingredients, to prepare a particular drink or beverage from the listed ingredients by following the instructions set forth in indicia 16 for a particular drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage.
Still further, first end 12.1 of elongated member 12 may be finger graspable, such as capable of being grasped between a user's thumb and finger to position drink sample stick 10 on a user's tongue, to position in a glass, to remove drink sample stick 10 from a glass and/or used as a stirring stick to evenly distribute the flavor of a particular drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage.
Second end 12.2 of top side 12.4 of elongated member preferably includes coating, bonding agent, sealant, adhesive, layer, edible paper, thin strip, oral film, or edible film, such as thin film 14. Preferably, thin film 14 is composed of or based of gelatin, alginate, xanthan gum, guar gum, chitin, chitosin, gellan gum, agar, carrageenan, albumin, starch, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), mixtures thereof, similar polymers, or the like capable of adhesion, covering, sealing, bonding, peeling, removal and/or dissolving on contact with heat or moisture, especially saliva from a user's tongue.
Moreover, second end 12.2 of top side 12.4 of elongated member 12 preferably includes a test sample or a taste portion of any drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage, such as flavor sample 18. Preferably, flavor sample 18 is formed from a derivative of the actual ingredients of a specific drink or beverage in the form of dehydrated powder, crystalline, concentrate, distillate, extract, oil or the like, artificial flavors, or actual natural ingredients or combinations thereof in portions to provide an accurate taste or flavor sample of the specific drink or beverage, especially a mixed drink or alcoholic beverage. It is contemplated herein that flavor sample 18 and/or thin film 14 may include a preservative compound, such as citric acid or the like, to preserve freshness of flavor sample 18. It is further contemplated herein that flavor sample 18 may be integrated into thin film 14 by mixing. It is further contemplated herein that integrated flavor sample 18 and thin film 14 may be sold or used individualy or sold or used in multiples and made available in a dispenser, such as dissolving strip(s), shown in
Tequila (containing sample flavor(s) comparable to Margarita levels, such as 6 parts)
Triple sec (containing sample flavor(s) comparable to Margarita levels, such as 2 parts)
Lime Juice (containing sample flavor(s) comparable to Margarita levels, such as 4 parts)
EXAMPLE 2 Whiskey & Cola Mixed Drink Flavor Sample 18Whiskey (containing sample flavor(s) comparable to Whiskey & Cola levels, such as 4 parts)
Cola (containing sample flavor(s) comparable to Whiskey & Cola levels, such as 6 parts)
Included herein is any other exemplary drink or beverage, or more specifically mixed drink or alcoholic beverage set forth in a bartender's reference, such as The New York Bartender's Guide incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Referring again to
Referring now to
Referring now to
It is contemplated herein that thin film 14 may be peeled off or removed R, as shown in
Referring now to
It is contemplated herein that thin film 14 may be peeled off or removed R, as shown in
Referring now to
It is contemplated herein that thin film 14 may be peeled off or removed R by gripping and pulling tab 14.1, as shown in
It is contemplated herein that elongated member 12 may be configured as various shapes other than the rectangle configuration shown.
It is contemplated herein that drink sample stick 10 may include a two ended flavor sample 18, as in flavor sample 18 positioned on second end 12.2 of elongated member and flavor sample 18 positioned on first end 12.1 of elongated member 12.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Moreover, the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.
Claims
1. A drink sample apparatus for use in taste testing by positioning on a user's tongue, the drink sample apparatus comprising
- an elongated member, said member having a surface;
- a flavor sample disposed on said surface; and
- a thin film disposed on said surface, said thin film configured to cover said flavor sample.
2. The drink sample apparatus of claim 1, wherein said thin film dissolves upon contact with user's tongue.
3. The drink sample apparatus of claim 2, wherein said dissolved thin film enables the taste testing of said flavor sample on the user's tongue.
4. The drink sample apparatus of claim 1, wherein said thin film is configured to be peeled off said surface to expose said flavor sample.
5. The drink sample apparatus of claim 1, further comprises an indicia.
6. The drink sample apparatus of claim 5, wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of promotional information, instructions, ingredients, recipe, quantities, preparation steps, branding, trademark, and combinations thereof.
7. The drink sample apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flavor sample further comprises a preservative compound to preserve said flavor sample.
8. The drink sample apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated member further comprises one or more cavities configured in said surface.
9. The drink sample apparatus of claim 8, wherein said cavities are filled with said flavor sample.
10. The drink sample apparatus of claim 9, wherein said cavities filled with said flavor sample are covered by said thin film disposed on said surface.
11. The drink sample apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated member further comprises at least one reservoir configured in said surface.
12. The drink sample apparatus of claim 11, wherein said reservoir is filled with said flavor sample.
13. The drink sample apparatus of claim 12, wherein said reservoir filled with said flavor sample is sealed by said thin film disposed on said surface.
14. A drink sample apparatus for use in taste testing by positioning on a user's tongue, the drink sample apparatus comprising
- an elongated member, said member having a surface;
- a flavor sample; and
- a thin film formed with said flavor sample integrated therein, said thin film disposed on said surface.
15. The drink sample apparatus of claim 14, wherein said thin film dissolves upon contact with user's tongue.
16. The drink sample apparatus of claim 15, wherein said dissolved thin film enables the taste testing of said flavor sample on the user's tongue.
17. The drink sample apparatus of claim 14, further comprises an indicia.
18. The drink sample apparatus of claim 17, wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of promotional information, instructions, ingredients, recipe, quantities, preparation steps, branding, trademark, and combinations thereof.
19. The drink sample apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flavor sample further comprises a preservative compound to preserve said flavor sample.
20. A method of taste testing a sample beverage, by positioning on a user's tongue, before making a decision to purchase the beverage, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drink sample, said drink sample having an elongated member, said member having a surface, a flavor sample disposed on said surface, and a thin film disposed on said surface, said thin film configured to cover said flavor sample;
- selecting said drink sample;
- gripping said surface of said drink sample;
- positioning said flavor sample disposed on said surface on the user's tongue;
- tasting said flavor sample; and
- determining whether the user likes said flavor sample.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of purchasing the beverage based on a favorable tasting of said flavor sample.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step removing said thin film from said surface to expose said flavor sample.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 10, 2013
Inventor: Jose Santiago (Sugar Hill, GA)
Application Number: 13/676,623
International Classification: A23L 1/22 (20060101);